WRITING LESSON: Writing on Demand -- Five Prompt Analysis Questions

When you are given a prompt to write about, consider these questions in an efficient manner – quickly but carefully:

1. What is the central claim or topic called for?
Do I have choices to make with regard to this claim or topic? Will I need to focus the
claim or topic in order to write a good essay? What arguments can I make for this
claim? What do I know about this topic?

2. Who is the intended audience?
If named specifically, what do I know about this particular audience? If the audience
is implied or not identified, what can I infer about it? In either event, how might the
expectations of this audience affect my choices as a writer?

3. What is the purpose or mode for the writing task?
Is the purpose stated or must it be inferred? What is this writing supposed to accomplish
(besides fulfilling the demands of the prompt or assignment)?What does the
goal of this writing suggest about the mode (narration, exposition, description, argument)
or combination of modes that I should consider in responding?

4. What strategies will be most effective?
What does the purpose or mode suggest about possible strategies? Of the strategies
I am comfortable using—like examples, definitions, analysis, classification, cause and
effect, compare and contrast—which will be most effective here? Are there any strategies,
such as number of examples or type of support, that are specified as required?

5. What is my role as a writer in achieving the purpose?
Have I been assigned a specific role, like applicant or representative? If I have not been
assigned a specific role, what does the prompt or assignment tell me about the level
of expertise I should demonstrate, the stance I should assume, or the approach I
should take?